Agitators damage buses, Raote respects their act

Mumbai: Even as more than 160 state transport (ST) buses were damaged by protesters across the state in response the Bhima Koregaon violence, state transport minister Diwakar Raote on Wednesday said that the government would not seek any compensation for the damages. “I respect the feeling of the agitators,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that the cash-strapped ST department is already burdened with heavy losses. It may be recalled that Mr Raote, a Shiv Sena leader had himself participated in many bandhs and violent agitations in the past. There have been many instances when the Sainiks have vandalised public property and threatened bureaucrats.

The Shiv Sena has not extended its support to the bandh called by the dalits. Mr Raote is in no mood to recover money for the damages from the offenders. “These incidents are reactions to some cause. I respect that and don’t want to file cases to get damages. The ST corporation will manage the expenses of the repairs,” he said.

There is a provision in the act and court orders to recover damages from organisers or offenders. “But if the ST corporation does not claim damages in these cases, then it will become practice and other parties and organisers will also take advantage of it,” sources said.